The distribution and origin of silcrete in the ogallala formation, Garza County, Texas

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dc.contributor.committeeChairLehman, Thomas
dc.contributor.committeeMemberJohnson, Eileen
dc.contributor.committeeMemberKarlsson, Haraldur R.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberHolterhoff, Peter
dc.creatorMcCoy, Zaneta L.
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-14T23:11:50Z
dc.date.available2012-06-01T15:23:49Z
dc.date.available2016-11-14T23:11:50Z
dc.date.issued2011-08
dc.degree.departmentGeosciences
dc.description.abstractSilica-cemented sandstone, conglomerate, and caliche intervals (“silcretes”) occur at multiple levels within the Ogallala Formation in Garza County, Texas. The distribution, stratigraphic position, petrology, and isotopic geochemistry of Ogallala silcretes are of interest because stratigraphic constraints indicate that they must have formed very recently, and at low temperature (2 to 17˚C) under groundwater conditions. Silicification of these silcretes, mainly by opal-CT, began with: 1) precipitation within intergranular pore spaces; 2) silicification by replacement of microcrystalline calcite; and 3) silica precipitation within remaining voids. The sequence of silica precipitation within voids was from opal-CT to lussatite to chalcedony to mega-quartz. The Ogallala silcretes likely formed through the mixing of groundwater and lake water (Pleistocene Spring Creek Lake) that created an environment conducive to the precipitation of opal-CT.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2346/ETD-TTU-2011-08-1741
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rights.availabilityUnrestricted.
dc.subjectSilcrete
dc.subjectOpal-CT
dc.subjectSilica-cemented sandstone
dc.subjectSilicified caliche
dc.subjectSilicified calcrete
dc.subjectOgallala Formation
dc.subjectGarza County, Texas
dc.subjectGroundwater and lake water mixing
dc.titleThe distribution and origin of silcrete in the ogallala formation, Garza County, Texas
dc.typeThesis

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